tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post4402849918670767115..comments2015-03-03T15:14:31.034-05:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: MONDAY, Jan. 7, 2008 - Lynn Lempel (VIENTIANE NATIVE)Rex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80918005681408332472008-01-07T23:00:00.000-05:002008-01-07T23:00:00.000-05:00Dan -- Every few weeks someone expresses confusion...Dan -- Every few weeks someone expresses confusion about the "relative difficulty rating." I take this as evidence that Rex's meaning is not clear to many readers. I suspect that most of them are new readers, who haven't previously endured the exchanges on this matter in the comments section. I also suspect that most of them don't read the FAQ, because most people don't ever read FAQs (or manuals). But who they are is of no importance. What matters is that they keep showing up and people, including Rex, keep expressing irritation about their comments. So, I suggested an economical way to clarify the matter and short circuit such comments. I only bothered because our host seems to find them annoying. But I have no stake in this. In fact, in some ways I enjoy the irritated responses -- in the past, some have been quite witty.<BR/><BR/>Anonymous 11:53 (as Orange has named me)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1742553346000630222008-01-07T20:37:00.000-05:002008-01-07T20:37:00.000-05:00Rex,I agree about the CS puzzles. They are not usu...Rex,<BR/><BR/>I agree about the CS puzzles. They are not usually b**l busters but today's was a special:<BR/><BR/>1. Pseudo nymph<BR/>2. Homer oomph<BR/><BR/>and the fill was great also. This puzzle should go down as ... I don't know but I loved it.ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-68409415530326790432008-01-07T19:47:00.000-05:002008-01-07T19:47:00.000-05:00@victor: Way back last January 16 we saw "Ransom O...@victor: Way back last January 16 we saw "Ransom Olds's middle name" as a clue. (Answer, as you noted, ELI.) Personally, I like it when the puzzle refers to REO Speedwagon and I like to think it's the band and not the car. ("I heard it from a friend whoooooo, heard it from a frieeend whoooooo, heard it from another you been messin' arou-ound....")PuzzleGirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06835502266781516627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-43701717311959355742008-01-07T19:42:00.000-05:002008-01-07T19:42:00.000-05:00@rick, if you're referring to today's CrosSynergy ...@rick, if you're referring to today's CrosSynergy puzzle by KLAHN, then yes, it was fun. Well, it was Not fun in that no CrosSynergy puzzle Ever takes me that long. But it was fun in that it was a KLAHN, and I did it, and it was indeed a pretty clever puzzle. The cluing on his puzzles is always ... it's like I'm a batter in baseball who's being thrown at, repeatedly, by, say, Randy Johnson in his prime - harrowing.<BR/><BR/>rpRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-12700795279417492712008-01-07T19:31:00.000-05:002008-01-07T19:31:00.000-05:00I was going to pick a nit about the cluing of 5D, ...I was going to pick a nit about the cluing of 5D, Old Auto Inits. which was REO, the actual name of an automobile company. Googling it, just to be sure I didn't make a mistake, revealed to me that REO also represents the initials of Ransom Eli Olds, the founder of the REO car company, and of course, of Oldsmobile. I always learn something here. Loved the puzzle, love this blog. Thanks, Rex.Victornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-65676116826922994942008-01-07T19:23:00.000-05:002008-01-07T19:23:00.000-05:00Rex (non-nyt warning),Noticed the Klhan comment, f...Rex (non-nyt warning),<BR/><BR/>Noticed the Klhan comment, feel the same way about Newman, but wasn't that a fun puzzle?ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6476826476648599462008-01-07T18:03:00.000-05:002008-01-07T18:03:00.000-05:00Beautiful little puzzle! Loved the word aplomb whi...Beautiful little puzzle! Loved the word aplomb which just came to me. Does anyone know if I can get the Herald Tribune in Curacao?macnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10054447560150680582008-01-07T17:16:00.000-05:002008-01-07T17:16:00.000-05:00When ACCA ultimately makes it to the pantheon, wil...When ACCA ultimately makes it to the pantheon, will it be with a sneer or a gloat?NJPhilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-23176847992380687122008-01-07T16:41:00.000-05:002008-01-07T16:41:00.000-05:00David - "leg." means "legislative", with the answe...David - "leg." means "legislative", with the answer referring to a congressperson. I interpreted it as "legal" first.<BR/><BR/>Anon 11:53, while you're right on about the joint Best Commentary award, Rex is quite clear that when he calls a Monday puzzle "Medium", the "for a Monday" is implied.<BR/><BR/>Still, I'm with those that were expecting an Easy-Medium rating...<BR/><BR/>People use a mouse in Across Lite? Wow - the only keys I touch are the four arrows, and Shift to move to the next word. Well, and the letters.<BR/><BR/>Man, Roger Clemens really doth protest too much, dothn't he!Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11209543514266918480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-15840862875291354402008-01-07T16:08:00.000-05:002008-01-07T16:08:00.000-05:00Great Monday puzzle, though I've come to expect no...Great Monday puzzle, though I've come to expect nothing less from Lynn Lempel.<BR/><BR/>Rex, (or anyone) have you had a chance to play around with the New York Times Crosswords game for the Nintendo DS? I was skeptical, and indeed, I'd rather do them on paper, but it's a pretty clever interface and has three years' worth of puzzles on there (March 2004-March 2007.) Not bad when you're on the go!Rob G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01040821037447962050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-79666458343011327002008-01-07T15:39:00.000-05:002008-01-07T15:39:00.000-05:00OK, I think I'm being dense, but what does "leg." ...OK, I think I'm being dense, but what does "leg." with the period stand for, legal? Seems too much of a stretch.<BR/>On the relative ratings - give it a break people! It is Rex's personal take on how challenging a puzzle is. Any talk of "absolute" ratings is crazy - all puzzles will be harder or easier for different people depending on their particular knowledge, state of mind, degree of inebriation, etc... If you feel your personal rating system is better than Rex's, start your own blog!Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-13727944792252395862008-01-07T15:29:00.000-05:002008-01-07T15:29:00.000-05:00When are the induction ceremonies for this year's ...When are the induction ceremonies for this year's Pantheon? I cannot wait to get into my newly laundered toga for the gala occasion.<BR/><BR/>Vale,<BR/><BR/>Profphilprofphilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-89007303292882148882008-01-07T15:11:00.000-05:002008-01-07T15:11:00.000-05:00Fun and fast. My only glitch was ANTE for DEAL. ...Fun and fast. My only glitch was ANTE for DEAL. I think I'm now programed to put ANTE for any clue that has card and or game and start in it. <BR/><BR/>Doesn't Rex pretty much explain the rating system in his FAQs?jaenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-26737790845897635152008-01-07T14:32:00.000-05:002008-01-07T14:32:00.000-05:00I'm so happy to finally have heard from our artist...I'm so happy to finally have heard from our artistic friend Emily. I look forward to her drawings every day. Rex, thank you so much for including them in your great blog. I'm going directly to her site to see what other gems are waiting. LoriAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32488278187974484462008-01-07T13:37:00.000-05:002008-01-07T13:37:00.000-05:00I loved Emily's drawing today. It made me laugh ou...I loved Emily's drawing today. It made me laugh out loud.Sandynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-77755872544126022802008-01-07T13:22:00.000-05:002008-01-07T13:22:00.000-05:00I'll bet (C) = computer (vs. paper).Anonymous 11:5...I'll bet (C) = computer (vs. paper).<BR/><BR/>Anonymous 11:53, thanks! But who are you? If you make up a pseudonym, we will recognize your charm next time. (P.S. That's Rex's writing for 93% of the awards post. Isn't it lovely? I had my turn for our joint holiday shopping suggestions post.)Orangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12433254398377357737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61961734122530149232008-01-07T12:45:00.000-05:002008-01-07T12:45:00.000-05:00Sorry if this has been asked before, but what does...Sorry if this has been asked before, but what does the (c) by the crossword times represent? Let's see, it could be completed, circa, cheated, crossword, concrete, clues...sometimes there's been a (p) also.Karennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-6968872961126354732008-01-07T12:36:00.000-05:002008-01-07T12:36:00.000-05:00Night of the Paring KnivesFunny, thank you. I will...Night of the Paring Knives<BR/><BR/>Funny, thank you. I will find a way to say that to someone this week. With attribution, of course.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09953519643586772929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20143031996985245512008-01-07T12:33:00.000-05:002008-01-07T12:33:00.000-05:00Will there be a Lynn Lempel theme week soon, in wh...Will there be a Lynn Lempel theme week soon, in which every day of the week will be one of her puzzles?<BR/>Agree that this was an elegant Monday puzzle, but when will Eland join the pantheon?campesitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852123189179333049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20128975861637331662008-01-07T11:59:00.000-05:002008-01-07T11:59:00.000-05:00I feel I have to defend "The Road" from your comme...I feel I have to defend "The Road" from your comment that it is unconvincing. In a book with almost nothing is given about the characters' pasts one must rely on what they do to understand them. Thus the father's crack shot abilities are not unrealistic, but rather suggest to us that he is in fact a crack shot. This makes sense when you remember that he has survived for ten years since the undefined nuclear holocaust occurred. Although it is never explained, since he is presented as a crack shot, we must take him as such.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12243006469352154660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-1699014116736931432008-01-07T11:56:00.000-05:002008-01-07T11:56:00.000-05:00Thanks for the tip, Orange--I actually am register...Thanks for the tip, Orange--I actually am registered on cruciverb, but I never thought to get the LAT puzzle there! <BR/><BR/>Rex, I laughed out loud at your CS time and KLAAAAHN!! I went and downloaded it immediately...with my tail between my legs, I return to work....Kathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25579636620113226892008-01-07T11:53:00.000-05:002008-01-07T11:53:00.000-05:00Rex,I think you could end the incessant complaints...Rex,<BR/><BR/>I think you could end the incessant complaints about your relative difficulty ratings with a simple change: don't rate today's puzzle "medium"; rate it "medium for a Monday." In other words, include in your rating each day the answer the question "relative to what?" and do so at the price of just three words. That may seem like a bit of excess verbiage to you, but it is unreasonable to expect NEW readers to know what you mean by "relative difficulty" and you clearly get new devotees every day. (I'll bet that most of the quizzical remarks about the ratings come from them.) Also, given the frequency with which the issue comes up, your current presentation of the rating system is plainly not adequate.<BR/><BR/>For what it's worth, I agree with your rating of today's puzzle, though I can't zip through it at your or Orange's pace. Hell, I can't even read the clues and locate their spots in the grid in Orange's solve times.<BR/><BR/>On a separate topic, I loved your and Orange's award posting, which I just read this morning (though it was posted days ago). Anyone else who missed it should scroll down the page to read it. If there is ever an award for "best crossword puzzle commentary," you and Orange deserve to tie for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81043401881362232272008-01-07T11:32:00.000-05:002008-01-07T11:32:00.000-05:00I may never have had occasion to *say* SATRAP, but...I may never have had occasion to *say* SATRAP, but I've *sung* it (in French)<BR/>in Josquin's famous Deploration on the Death of Ockeghem:<BR/> ...<BR/> Car Atropos, tres terrible satrappe,<BR/> a votre Ockeghem atrappe' en sa trappe<BR/> ...<BR/>(...For Atropos, so terrible a satrap, / has trapped your Ockeghem in her trap...)<BR/><BR/>Alas the poet then went too far and described Ockeghem as _non point trappe'_<BR/>(not stout), which is rather anticlimactic, though the music remains beautiful.<BR/><BR/>We now return you to your regularly scheduled solving-time comparisons,<BR/><BR/>--NDENoam D. Elkiesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-85856694884402948512008-01-07T11:31:00.000-05:002008-01-07T11:31:00.000-05:00Re: bigbangtheory.com:The description of a balloon...Re: bigbangtheory.com:<BR/>The description of a balloon popping is valid, the rest of the site is questionable.Leonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25172627220954644712008-01-07T11:05:00.000-05:002008-01-07T11:05:00.000-05:00I did not like POP associated with big bang but th...I did not like POP associated with big bang but then I read <A HREF="http://www.big-bang-theory.com/" REL="nofollow">Bigbangtheory.com</A> and one description was of a balloon popping.Leonnoreply@blogger.com